Supply Chain Manager

Nitin Vaghela; Dubai; On-site; AED 661,000 - 1,469,000; Full time

Job summary

The group develops and operates dry port and ICD infrastructure in Africa. The Supply Chain Manager will lead owner-side procurement, supply chain and inbound logistics for a dry port under construction in East Africa.

Based in the Dubai head office, you will source, contract, expedite and deliver equipment packages and critical materials to site on time and within budget, with regular site visits. Regular travel (25–30%) to the East Africa project site and supplier factories in China, India and

Qualifications

• Degree in supply chain management, engineering, logistics or related field.
• 8–12 years in procurement, contracts and supply chain.
• 4+ years handling capital equipment/works packages on infrastructure, port or logistics projects.
• International sourcing experience; exposure to FAT, inspection, expediting.
• Fluent English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Plan and maintain integrated procurement plan aligned with construction programme.
• Convert specifications into RFQs/RFPs and manage bidder clarifications.
• Lead contracting, negotiations and variations with legal and suppliers.
• Manage logistics including import, clearance and delivery to site.
• Maintain expediting dashboard and coordinate factory inspections.
• Provide monthly reporting on commitments, cash requirements, risks and decisions.

Skills

Supply chain management

Procurement

Negotiation

Project procurement

Incoterms

Sourcing

Education

Degree in supply chain management, engineering, logistics or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

The group develops and operates dry port and inland container depot ICD infrastructure in Africa. The Supply Chain Manager will lead owner-side procurement supply chain and inbound logistics for a dry port currently entering construction in East Africa. Based in the Dubai head office, the role is responsible for competitively sourcing, contracting, expediting and delivering equipment works packages and critical materials to site on time and within the approved budget. Regular visits to the East Africa project site are an essential part of the role. Phase 1 is a major capital procurement programme covering 100 000 TEU of capacity including container-handling equipment, scanning, buildings, utilities, warehousing, rail siding and terminal systems. Major sourcing markets include China, India, Europe, UAE and East Africa.

Position details

• Item Detail Job title -- Supply Chain Manager Dry Port ICD Base - Dubai head office
• Reports to -- Chief Financial Officer Project Director with regular reporting to the Board of Directors
• Works with - Engineering consultant East Africa site team finance legal operations and lenders advisers as required
• Direct reports - None at start expected to add a buyer and an expediter clearing coordinator as procurement volume builds
• Travel - Regular travel required - typically 25-30 including frequent visits to the East Africa project site plus supplier factory visits in China India and Europe
• Contract - Full-time UAE employment contract This is a dedicated owner-side project procurement role for the East Africa ICD working closely with engineering finance legal operations and the site team

Scope of spend

The role owns procurement and supply chain from sourcing strategy and tendering through contracting expediting logistics and delivery to site. Engineering retains ownership of technical specifications.

Key responsibilities

• Planning Build and maintain the integrated procurement plan and package register working backwards from the construction programme to set tender award manufacturing shipment and required-on-site dates Identify critical and long-lead packages early and align commitments and payment milestones with project budget cash flow and debt-facility drawdown
• Sourcing and tendering Convert approved technical specifications into commercially robust RFQs RFPsmanage bidder clarifications and evaluationsmaintain a qualified supplier and contractor base across key sourcing marketsand recommend awards based on total landed costlifecycles valueservice support and schedule risk rather than headline price alone
• Negotiation and contracting Lead commercial negotiations covering priceIncotermspayment milestoneswarrantiesliquidated damagesperformance securityretentiondeliverycommissioningtraining and sparesWork with legal on contracts and control variationschange orders and supplier claims through close-out
• Logistics import and clearingPlan and manage containerisedbreakbulk and out-of-gauge movementsappoint freight forwardersshipping linestransporters and clearing agentscontrol import documentationcustomsand exemption requirementsand coordinate port clearance and inland delivery to site while minimising detention and demurrage
• Expediting and quality Maintain an expediting dashboard for all open orderstrack production and delivery milestonesaccelerate slippage earlyand coordinate factory acceptance testingpre-shipment inspectioncommissioningtrainingmanualswarrantiesand handover requirements for critical equipment
• Coststores and reporting Maintain committed-costforecast-at-completion and variance reporting by packageEstablish goods-receiptmaterials codinginventory and spares controls with the site teamand provide concise monthly reporting to management and the Board of Directors on commitmentscash requirementscritical-path risksclaims and decisions required
• Governance and interfaces The Supply Chain Manager leads the commercial process and makes documented recommendationsmajor awards and commitments are approved in line with the delegation of authorityincluding Board of Directors approval where requiredProcurement must follow the required competitive processbudget and funding confirmationtechnical reviewlegal review where applicableand a complete audit trail Key interfaces Engineering - specifications and technical evaluationFinance - budgetscash flowpayments and lender reportingLegal - contractssecuritiesclaims and disputesSite team - deliveryreceiptstores and commissioningGovernment authorities - import permitscustomsand exemption documentation Procurement records must be maintained to lender DFI audit standardincluding tender documentsevaluationsapprovalscontractssecuritiesvariationsinspection and shipping recordspayments and close-out documents

Qualifications and experience

Required Degree in supply chain management, engineering, logistics or a related field. 8 to 12 years in procurement, contracts and supply chain, including at least 4 years handling capital equipment and/or works packages on infrastructure, industrial, port or logistics projects. Demonstrated ownership of a multi-package capital procurement programme of at least USD 20 million. International sourcing experience, particularly China and/or Europe, with exposure to factory audits, FAT, inspection, expediting and shipment follow-up. Strong knowledge of Incoterms, trade-payment structures, marine insurance, international freight, breakbulk and out-of-gauge cargo. Hands‑on customs and import experience into an African market, including project-import, exemption and bonded regimes. Strong commercial and contract literacy, including warranties, liquidated damages, retention, performance security, claims and variations. SAP is mandatory, with hands‑on procurement and materials‑management experience. Fluent English, written and spoken.

Preferred Experience in ports, terminals, ICDs, logistics infrastructure, utilities, mining logistics or heavy industry. Prior work in East or Central Africa and familiarity with regional trade corridors. Experience with lender/DFI-controlled procurement and audit requirements. Experience procuring container‑handling equipment, scanners, medium‑voltage power, civil works or terminal systems; CIPS/CSCP and French are advantageous.

Competencies

Hands‑on execution - comfortable personally writing tenders, building bid comparisons, negotiating and expediting rather than only supervising. Commercially strong and numerate - able to challenge landed‑cost models, payment schedules and package forecasts. Highly organised under pressure - able to control multiple packages, suppliers, time zones, dates and approvals. Firm, constructive and high‑integrity - protects project rights and delivery commitments while maintaining strong governance and a clear audit trail.